By Austin Ogwuda
…decries the multiplicity of traditional rulers in Delta North, claiming underserved autonomy
THE Obi of Owa kingdom, His Royal Majesty (Dr) Emmanuel Efeizomor II has raised alarm over the multiplicity of traditional rulers in Delta North, just as he noted the lack of support towards the sustenance of the traditional institution in the area unlike what obtains in Delta Central zone.
He stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Epiphany Azinge on Wednesday.
The Obi of Owa who spoke extensively on his personal relationship with Asagba (Prof) Azinge and his high regards and respect for him, expressed concerns over the growing fragmentation of traditional institution in the region.
He noted that there are no fewer than 75 traditional rulers as at present in Delta North region.
The population, he described as too unwieldy for any government to accommodate.
His words: “Tell me how any government can accommodate that number in the State’s Traditional Rulers’ Council. Very soon, the traditional rulers surrounding you will start grumbling that you have overshadowed them, that you did not fight for them to be members of the state Council.
‘’Look at the issue, some areas that were previously appendages, but for political and other reasons, have become independent today are now making a mockery of the traditional institution; to the extent that somebody, for instance, who hails from Ubulu-Unor will just wake up one day and go to one Ndokwa village to take a chieftaincy title. Then the law will say that before he can be removed, you have to do some plus and minus.
‘’The point I want to emphasise is that the Urhobos have the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU). At intervals, their politicians and prominent sons contribute towards the sustenance of the traditional institution, but that does not happen in Anioma”, he lamented.
Responding, the Asagba of Asaba Obi Prof Epiphany Azinge concurred.
Said he, “There are other issues that you raised, one of which is the multiplicity or plethora of traditional rulers in Delta North. Your Majesty, it also worries me, and for me it is becoming more like a balkanisation, and I have seen it play out across the Niger with chains of autonomous communities, and I don’t think that we should go that way.
“I agree with you that the plethora of traditional institutions littered all over the place is a major challenge to us.
I also agree with you, Your Majesty, that a time will come when those of them that are not accommodated in the Traditional Rulers’ Council will start coming after us, believing that we are the obstacles, not even knowing that we are not.
‘’Already, that has started happening because every now and then I receive so many calls from some of the traditional rulers that are not members of the Council, and all they are saying is, may be you have the ears of the Governor, we want to come to Council, we want to be part of it, we want to be members.
‘’And more often than not, I don’t even know what to tell them because that opportunity is not there. But, now it is at this stage, what happens when we progress? Only God knows. So, it is something worth reflecting over so that we know how to checkmate it and how we can handle it effectively’’.
On the entourage of Obi Efeizomor were the Obi of Ubulu-Unor, HRM, Henry Kikachukwu, PhD; the Obi of Umunede, HRM, Ezeagwu Ezenweali, and a retinue of Chiefs.
Credit: GALLANT REPORTERS
Caption: The Obi of Owa, Obi Efeizomor (second left) during the visit to the Asagba of Asaba
